27/12/2025
This summer alone, Park Road Playgroup (Sale), Raglan Road Playgroup (Sale), and Butterflies Playgroup on Harboro Road have all closed. I’ve also just read that The Hidden Trust (The Hideaway) is due to close in Partington.
This is devastating. These aren’t just buildings, they're safe spaces for children, lifelines for parents, and the heart of our communities. Yet one by one, they’re disappearing because of a lack of funding and relentless financial pressure.
Behind the scenes, many of us are fighting just to survive. This year I’ve submitted numerous funding applications for 4 Cheeky Monkeys, all of which have been rejected. Attendance has been really low, costs keep rising, and we are struggling financially ourselves. We’ve jumped through every hoop funders have asked of us (including adding extra directors) and still it hasn’t been enough.
The only funding donation we’ve received this year was from Mark Tarry at Haven Financial Planning, which we are incredibly grateful for. That support will allow us to replace two broken light fixtures and a leaking hot water heater in the new year, essential repairs just to keep the building safe and usable.
Meanwhile, Lesley has gone two months without wages, and I’m working entirely in a voluntary role. This is the reality of trying to keep Early Years Services alive.
That said, we want to say the biggest thank you to those who continue to support us week in, week out and those who attend regularly, buy raffle tickets, and always show up for our events, including our Father Christmas evening (14 people booked). Your support truly means more than you know.
Those who love 4 Cheeky Monkeys have helped create something really special: a warm, supportive, wonderful community and we love you dearly for that.
We are absolutely desperate to keep the doors of Cheeky Monkeys open, but right now our future looks uncertain, and that breaks our hearts.
If you have benefited from our sessions, please help us by telling people about us, sharing our page, and spreading the word. Every share, every conversation, every bit of support helps us keep our doors open.
If you value local playgroups, if your family has ever benefited from them, or if you believe children deserve these safe, nurturing spaces, please stand with us. Without community support and proper funding, we risk losing even more and once these places are gone, they’re gone.
from Jeneane Warhurst 🩷
Edit: we also received funding from Tesco and Coop for toys but these applications were submitted in 2024.
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4 Cheeky Monkeys C.I.C Ltd
